4x4YOTA

iTrader: (2)

what is the best way to go to make my own shackle can I use 2"x1/4" steel o does it have to be 3/8"

farmerj

I used 3/8" steel.

4x4YOTA

iTrader: (2)

any pics? where did you get the metal?

black diamond

for real???

drew303

That seriously made me laugh out loud. Everyone in the room looked at me like i was crazy

LOL

All-pro, Marlin and 4crawler all make shackles. You're better off just buying a set IMO. You get the hardware and the poly bushings.

farmerj

I will be working 60 hours between now and Weds. Will see if I can get some pics...

I got the steel from a machine shop on a Saturday morning in a one horse po-dunk town. Most likely just cold rolled 2" 3/8" steel iron bar. Got a couple extra inches so we could put stiffener pieces in them as well.

Lets see, shackles would have cost me around....$6 EACH plate from Marlin Crawler. My steel cost me all of $4 for enough to make them all.

They have held up nicely, and I get compliments on how the truck rides ever since I put in the new springs, shackles and U-bolt flip kit. Bolts, Bushings and u-bolt flip kit, shock mounts all came from Marlin Crawler.

1eye

I custom built my first set just to "do it". But next time I think i would just buy a set. By the time I drilled out the hardened bolts I had to buy, put in the grease fittings, bought new bushings, and welded up the center stiffener and ingraved it with my logo, it would have been just as cheap/fast to buy a set. Just my .03 cents.

highonpottery

iTrader: (1)

reviving this thread because i didn't want to start a new one and couldn't find the info i was seeking.

Wondering what size bolts everyone likes to use when making their own shackles?
stock bolt diameter for shackles should be 18mm upper and 14mm lower.

Are you DIY guys running metric bolts or have you swapped them for standard sizes and drilled out your bushings? if you used standard bolts, did you use 9/16" (for 14mm) and 3/4" (for 18mm) bolts? lastly, did you buy them locally or did you purchase "shackle bolts/greasable shackle bolts" from a retailer?

I need to lift the rear of my truck about 1-1.5" after messing with my t-bars and screwing with my rake. I want versatility with my suspension because i don't know if i want to lift only 1" (5.5" shackle) or lift it like 1.5" (6" shackle) - so instead of buying different length shackle plates for each ride height, I wanted to just make my own set instead of forking out $80 for something so simple. Currently I have newer OME Dakar leaf springs with poly OME bushings and stock shackles (3.5"). Planning to pick up some 3/8" plate or flat stock for my plates, and since my stock shackles are the "bent" design, I will add some sort of spacers on the leaf spring side to bring them to the correct width - as opposed to bending the shackle plates. As for bolts, i don't think i need the greasable ones. I can easily find standard grade 8 bolts locally, it's the metric ones that are hard to come by.